The heartbroken parents of a Welsh student have paid tribute to their son after his inquest gave a verdict of suicide.

Denise Sullivan, 66, said her life had been ruined after her son, Liam Sullivan, 32, was “failed” by mental health services in Southampton.

Liam, who grew up in Gabalfa, Cardiff, was a student at Southampton University when he was found dead in his flat in April this year.

He had been suffering from bipolar disorder as well as an under-active thyroid.

At his inquest, NHS trust Southern Health admitted missing chances to intervene and save Liam as his mental health deteriorated.

Liam Sullivan's parents Denise and Michael Sullivan believe their son was 'failed' by the health board (Image: Wales News Service Ltd)

Denise, who has retired from her role as a teaching assistant at St Joseph’s Primary School in Cardiff, said: “My son was failed by the health board and I will never forgive them for the mistakes they made that cost my son his life.

“Liam was a student mental health nurse in his second year at Southampton University. He became very unwell but sought help. He had been in control but it took nine weeks for him to get a referral.

“In that time his mental health deteriorated terribly. His girlfriend, Laura, repeatedly called the health board. She begged for help.

“She told them he wasn’t himself, that he was researching suicide and that he was getting worse and worse but no crisis plan was ever put in place and it cost Liam his life.”

Liam Sullivan was found dead at his flat in Southampton (Image: Wales News Service Ltd)

Southern Health failed to upload the vital information that Liam had attempted suicide in 2008 on to their database.

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'A number of issues in Liam's care'

Mary Kloer, clinical director for Adult Mental Health at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I would like to extend our condolences to Liam’s family at this difficult time.

“We had been supporting Liam for a number of months and the news of his death saddened us all.

Liam had been suffering from bipolar disorder (Image: Wales News Service Ltd)

“After learning of Liam’s death, we began an investigation to review the support we had offered and to see if there was anything we could have done differently.

“The investigation revealed a number of issues in Liam’s care which we are working hard to improve.

"This includes improving our communication with families and primary care colleagues, ensuring we provide all the care documents needed and improve how we share information.

"In addition, we are improving our processes and guidance for Practitoner Led Clinics. This will include reviewing how we allocate and assess suitability, as well as providing regular medical supervision to the practitioners and the greater involvement of carers.

"We are already working on this review and hope to have completed it within the next ten weeks with a view to implementing the changes by the end of the Autumn.

“We have shared our findings with Liam’s family and will continue to work hard to address gaps in our service ”